06/15: June 15th vs. The Indians
Posted by: James
Todays' game against my namesakes can be recapped in one word: almost.
Joe Torre almost pulled Mike Mussina before the game changing home-run. He visited Moose on the mound and Mussina convinced him that he could get the third out. This has worked out well for Torre/Mussina several times in the past. Not this time as Hollandsworth deposited a 1-0 pitch into the black, becoming the 11th opposing player to hit there since Yankee Stadium was remodeled 30 years ago. In fact, it was the bottom of the Cleveland line-up that hit Mussina the hardest. For the game, Peralta, who came in 0-for-his-last-17, and Hollandsworth, hitless in his previous 19 at-bats, combined with Ronnie Beliard to go 9-for-14 with 7 RBI.
The heart of the Yankees order almost came through. With the bases loaded and no one out, Giambi grounds into a FC and one run scores. Then, after Miguel Cairo (pinch-runner for Giambi) stole second, Rodriguez and Posada both struck out, looking foolish on sliders that the rookie Fausto Carmona had set up by throwing straight gas (96-98 mph) for 4 or 5 straight pitches. That left the potential tying runs stranded and that would be the last offensive challenge the Yanks mustered. A-Rod is taking heat (as he should) but as always, he's accepting of it. He knows he's been a wreck at the plate recently and it's starting to look like the the slump (and maybe the boos, who knows) are starting to take a little bit of a toll.
I don't know when it'll happen but A-Rod will pull out of this. I just hope that's soon. With the rest of the boppers out indefinitely (and Johnny Damon felt a twinge in his right hamstring but he said he would play tomorrow night), someone has to get hot and carry the Yanks through the summer months. It should be A-Rod.
Joe Torre almost pulled Mike Mussina before the game changing home-run. He visited Moose on the mound and Mussina convinced him that he could get the third out. This has worked out well for Torre/Mussina several times in the past. Not this time as Hollandsworth deposited a 1-0 pitch into the black, becoming the 11th opposing player to hit there since Yankee Stadium was remodeled 30 years ago. In fact, it was the bottom of the Cleveland line-up that hit Mussina the hardest. For the game, Peralta, who came in 0-for-his-last-17, and Hollandsworth, hitless in his previous 19 at-bats, combined with Ronnie Beliard to go 9-for-14 with 7 RBI.
The heart of the Yankees order almost came through. With the bases loaded and no one out, Giambi grounds into a FC and one run scores. Then, after Miguel Cairo (pinch-runner for Giambi) stole second, Rodriguez and Posada both struck out, looking foolish on sliders that the rookie Fausto Carmona had set up by throwing straight gas (96-98 mph) for 4 or 5 straight pitches. That left the potential tying runs stranded and that would be the last offensive challenge the Yanks mustered. A-Rod is taking heat (as he should) but as always, he's accepting of it. He knows he's been a wreck at the plate recently and it's starting to look like the the slump (and maybe the boos, who knows) are starting to take a little bit of a toll.
"I don't have any answers," Rodriguez said. "I could have gotten a base hit that would have probably won it. So you can write the worst articles, say the worst things, and you're probably right right now. So go right ahead."
After the strikeout, Rodriguez didn't just tap his helmet on the dugout railing or take a few practice cuts while walking to the dugout this time. He's had 15 strikeouts in the past 11 games, but this time he was beyond frustrated. Rodriguez had problems putting his bat back in the wooden rack, so he proceeded to slam it in multiple times.
Rodriguez struck out on a high slider, a great pitch to hit, he said while shaking his head. But that wasn't the final out of the inning. Jorge Posada had the same opportunity with runners on second and third, this time with two outs. He struck out as well, giving the Yankees just one run in an inning where the bases were loaded with nobody out. But the fans didn't boo Posada.
"It's just what people expect from him," Johnny Damon said. "He's the highest-paid ballplayer. They expect him to do well all the time."
"We win and lose as a team," Derek Jeter added. "One person isn't going to be the reason why we lose. You can't put too much pressure on one particular person."
After the strikeout, Rodriguez didn't just tap his helmet on the dugout railing or take a few practice cuts while walking to the dugout this time. He's had 15 strikeouts in the past 11 games, but this time he was beyond frustrated. Rodriguez had problems putting his bat back in the wooden rack, so he proceeded to slam it in multiple times.
Rodriguez struck out on a high slider, a great pitch to hit, he said while shaking his head. But that wasn't the final out of the inning. Jorge Posada had the same opportunity with runners on second and third, this time with two outs. He struck out as well, giving the Yankees just one run in an inning where the bases were loaded with nobody out. But the fans didn't boo Posada.
"It's just what people expect from him," Johnny Damon said. "He's the highest-paid ballplayer. They expect him to do well all the time."
"We win and lose as a team," Derek Jeter added. "One person isn't going to be the reason why we lose. You can't put too much pressure on one particular person."
I don't know when it'll happen but A-Rod will pull out of this. I just hope that's soon. With the rest of the boppers out indefinitely (and Johnny Damon felt a twinge in his right hamstring but he said he would play tomorrow night), someone has to get hot and carry the Yanks through the summer months. It should be A-Rod.
Jason wrote:
I never thought this would ever happen in the context of the AL East race, but last night I was walking home wondering:
"Who does Toronto play this weekend?"